Last Christmas card of 2019

Good morning folks

The last day of 2019....... It's been an okay year - got my health, a roof over my head, food in my tummy, money in my pocket and all my family close by so I'll count those as excellent blessings. I know all over the world not everyone is as blessed.

Why does the end of the year make me feel so melancholy I wonder? Not my favourite celebration time at all. 

As it is the last day of the year I thought I would share my last Christmas card of 2019 too - 

This is one I made for my hubby and I have used a Polkadoodles stamp called Snow ho ho which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir Triblend and original pens - 

• hats and scarves - aqua blue blend and ice blue blend
• holly - citrus green blend, dull green blend and dark red blend
• snowmen - ice grey blend, pale pink blend, earth brown shade and ice grey shade
• sky - TB1 and TB4

I have also used - 

• white centura pearl
• Sara's signature collection - winter wonderland matt mirri card
• Sara's signature collection - winter wonderland paper pad
• metallic medley embossing powder - Stamps by Chloe
• tinsel silver embossing powder - Papermania
• tumbled glass distress ink
• Sara's signature collection - winter wonderland frosted tree die set
• gems from my stash

Well that's all from me today and for 2019. I hope you have a Happy New year however you spend it and I hope you all have lots of blessings to count too.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Feathers

Good morning

A scheduled post from me today. I will be visiting my dad this morning and then sorting out food for our NYE and NY day celebrations.

This is a card I made for my husband's birthday - 

For this card I have used - 

• Sheena's stamping card, matt balck card and rainbow mirri
• Distress Inks - black soot, salty ocean, seedless preserve, peacock feathers and hickory smoke
• Artistic Flair 101 range stencils - polka dot (51082), clock (51001) and chevrons (51057)
• Woodware's feathers stamp
• Versafine white pigment ink
• Die'sire essential circles die set

A close up of the background detail. I stamp the image twice and then cut out circles from it, inked them using the distress inks and then used foam pads to attached them to the card.

Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back tomorrow with my last Christmas card of 2019.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

SElfie Christmas

Hello and a very good morning to you

Well things never go according to plan do they. I ended up yesterday hospital visiting rather than crafting. My dad had to have a minor op on his back but it all went well and is on the mend now.

I have a festive card to share with you today - 

Not a great quality photo due to taking it in artificial light - apologies.

I stamped MFT Christmas sELFies onto white Neenah card and coloured the image with Copic pens - 

• R27, R46, R59, E51, E21, E11, R11, G21, G94, G99, E35, E57, E79, E09, E18, BG0000, B000, B00

For this card I also used - 

• MFT polaroid shaker frame
• BoBunny elf magic collection paper pad
• white, Christmas red and green centura pearl
• MFT Blueprint 27 die set

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Game on

Good afternoon folks

I hope you all had a good Christmas however you chose to celebrate it. Santa was very generous once again and I spent a very pleasant couple of hours yesterday spending my crafting vouchers that my children gave me. 

Today's card was made for my son's birthday but I didn't get around to posting it.

For this card I have used - 

• Sheena's stamping card, matt black card and brushed silver mirri
• distress inks - fired brick, spiced marmalade, squeezed lemonade and black soot
• Versacolour white pigment ink
• Artist flair A4 stencil 297 (spots)
• MFT level up stamp set
• MFT game controller die set
• MFT cross stitched rectangle STAX

A close up of the game controller die cut and sentiment.

I created the background using the distress inks, pigment ink and the stencil.

That's all from me today. I am hopefully going to be spending some time in my craftroom playing with my new purchases.

Enjoy your day.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas folks

Wishing you all the very best for the holiday season. Hope it all you wish for.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Birthday wishes

Hello folks

Well I made it to the end of term. This week we have held three Christmas concerts, had Christmas dinner, Christmas jumper day and a panto - phew that was a week and a half. And now relax........... I have actually done all of my Christmas present shopping and most of the food shopping so all that is left is to wrap the presents. I am planning to have a relaxing day completing a memory book and watching old movies (currently watching The Goonies)

Something non Christmassy for you today. This is a card for my sister so I went all out with Chloe's lovely products.

This is my version of a card featured in Chloe's Creative cards card making box number 5 and I have used - 

• spring luxury papers - papers by Chloe
• Chloe's card making box number 5 stamps
• Chloe's fire opal glitter
• white centura pearl
• velum 
• Cosmic Shimmer true white embossing powder
• birthday wishes die from Crafter's Companion's 2019 advent calender
• gems from my stash

That's all from me today; back to the Goonies.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

21st birthday celebrations

Good morning folks

Christmas preparations are well underway at work which is making me feel a little more festive. We are in the middle of Christmas concert rehearsals and Christmas crafting which is great fun, and the children are very excited.

Today I am taking a break from Christmas and am sharing a 21st birthday card - 

For this card I have used - 

• Chloe's creative cards card making box number 5 - stamp set and papers
• Woodware's 21st birthday stamp
• white and turquoise centura pearl
• Die'sire essential circles and scalloped circles
• Chloe's creative cards unicorn sparkle glitter
• Spectrum Noir Illustrators - LG4, LV3 and MG1
• gems from my stash

That's all from me today, thank you for stopping by.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

15th birthday

Good morning folks

Today is my first day back at work after my illness. I am hoping for a quiet day but somehow I think not. Ah well only 2 weeks until the Christmas break!!!! Don't panic, don't panic.......

This is a birthday card for one of those tricky teenagers - 

For this card I have used - 

• Sheena's stamping card
• matt balck card
• silver mirri
• Harmony inks (Spectrum Noir) - ocean blue and midnight
• black soot distress ink
• Spectrum Noir Midas ink - silver
• Versacolour white pigment ink
• Hunkydory's For the love of stamps - starry skies
• Mama makes sentiment stamps
• 13arts horoscope stencil
• Tonic essential numbers dies

I built up the background using the inks, stencil and stamps. 

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Pink Flamingoes

Good morning folks

It's been a while hasn't it. Work has been very busy but I have also been struck down with flu so crafting and blogging has gone by the wayside. 

I am now feeling much better so I am back to blogging. The cards I'll be sharing for the next few posts will be things I created a while ago. 

For this card I have used - 

• fabulous flamingo stamp and die from Crafter's Companion
• Sheena's stamping card
• matt black card
• hot pink glitter card
• Harmony quick drying ink (Spectrum Noir) - pink tulip, fuchsia and plum jam
• Versafine black ink
• Gemini stitched edge oval 2
• ribbon and gems from my stash

The background was made using the flower stamp from the flamingo stamp set and the Harmony inks.

That's all from me today. Thank you for stopping by.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Tangled tinsel

Good morning

Hump day - hooray.

Art week is going well, the children are having fun and we are creating some fabulous masterpieces.

Another Christmas card for you today -

This fun stamp is called tangled yeti from Stamping Bella which I coloured with Copic pens - 

• yeti - C00, C1, C3, C5, B000, B00, B23 and white gel pen
• elves - R35, R46, R59, G21, G94, G99, E15, E50, E51 and E11
• lights - C7, C10, white gel pen, G21, G94, G99, Y17, Y38, YR68, R35, R46, R59, B41, B45 and B39
• snow - C00, C1 and C3
• sky - BG0000

I have also used - 

• white centura pearl (for the card base)
• Sara's signature collection - winter wonderland matt mirri card
• Sue Wilson's double stitched rectangle die set
• Nordic Xmas diamond snowflakes embossing folder (from Crafter's Companion)
• Stamping Bella's holiday fun sentiments
• Sara's signature collection - contemporary Christmas snowflakes of joy die set
• gem from my stash

A close up of the embossed detail (you can't beat an embossed piece of mirri).

That's all from me today, thank you for stopping by.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Cute litle penguin

Good morning

Well my wish for a dry day last Wednesday did not come true!! It was very wet, very very muddy and extremely cold but the children had a fabulous time jumping in puddles, building dens and climbing trees. Just what 5 and 6 year olds need.

This week promises to be another busy one - it is art week so we have lots of activities planned which involves lots of preparation. I have spent this weekend collecting leaves and cutting out flowers and leaves from card. 

Due to my workload this weekend I have been able to do any crafting so I am sharing a festive card I made a few weeks ago - 

For this card I have used - 

• white centura pearl ( for the card base)
• matt silver mirri and pale turquoise glitter card (from Sara's signature collection winter wonderland collection)
• Gemini Christmas penguin stamp and die set
• Gemini Christmas Greetings die
• Sara's signature collection - contemporary Christmas collection snowflake die set
• gem from my stash

I used scraps of matt black card, centura pearl, matt mirri and glitter card to make the penguin. I stamped onto the centura pearl and the ink spread slightly.

That's all from me today, hope you all have a good week.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

More Christmas cuteness

Good morning folks

Today sees me off to a forest trip with work. Unfortunately the weather forecast is not good and the waterproof trousers I bought in the holidays are going to come in very useful.

I have another Christmas card to share with you today - 

The stamp is bundle girl with a penguin from Stamping Bella which I coloured with Spectrum Noir pans and Triblend pens - 

• girl - DP2, DP3, DP4, AG5, AG4, AG5, C00 (Copic pen), ice grey blend, fair skin blend, TN2, CR2 and brown grey shade
• penguin - ice grey shade, true black, C00 (Copic pen), ice grey blend, orange blend, DP2, DP3 and DP4
• mistletoe - citrus blend and EB1
• snow - C00 (Copic pen) and ice grey blend
• sky - vintage blue blend

I have also used - 

• white centura pearl (for the card base)
• rainbow mirri card
• purple centura pearl
• First Edition Merry little Christmas papers
• Sue Wilson's double stitched rectangles die set
• Creative Expression's festive traditions sentiment stamps
• satin ribbon from my stash
• lots of glitter!!!

Well that's all from me today. Fingers crossed the weathermen are worng today!

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Christmas gnomes

Good afternoon folks

I am having a relaxing day today before I head back to work tomorrow. I have had lots of time in my craftroom and this week and have added to my Christmas card stash. Here is one of the cards I made - 

The stamp is Gnome with a candy cane from Stamping Bella which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir and Triblend pens - 

• hat and shoes - purple blend and PL5
• candy cane - dark red blend, DR7, ice grey blend and C00 (Copic pen)
• bow - light green blend, AG4 and AG5
• gnome - fair skin blend, TN2, gold brown blend, ice grey blend and C00
• ground - brown grey blend
• sky - ice blue blend

I have also used - 

• First Edition's Merry little Christmas papers
• Gemini torn edge circles die set
• Stamps by Chloe poinsettia 3D cut and emboss set (little flourish die)
• gems from my stash
• scraps of rainbow mirri
• tumbled glass distress ink

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Busy bees

Hello folks

A bit late in posting today. After a very busy day in my craftroom yesterday today I am going to have apply myself to a litle housework - yuck I know but needs must I am afraid.

Here is today's card. These stamps were another of my sale purchases - 

For this card I have used - 

• Woodware's sweet honey bee and Bee happy stamp sets
• Sheena's stamping card
• matt black card
• brown core'dinations
• Copic pens (to colour the bees) - C00, C1, E000, E00, Y11, Y15 and Y19
• Harmony inks (to create the background) - straw bale, lemon tonic and honey pot
• Adriondack espresso ink (to stamp the honeycomb)
• Versafine onyx black ink (to stamp the sentiment and samll bees)

 I coloured the bees with Copic pens, cut them out and then 3D glue gelled them onto the card base.

I created the background the using the Harmony inks and the stamps.

Well the iron is calling (unfortunately). Thank you for stopping by.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Sparkly poinsettias

Good morning

Another beautiful day here in Manchester. Had a slight change of plan yesterday and ended up out and about again so today I am definitely spending some time in my craftroom.

A little festivity today - 

I have been playing with some lovely products from Stamps by Chloe to make this card. Just noticed how glittery this card is (it needs a clean with a paintbrush to remove all that stray glitter). For this card I have used - 

• white and old gold centura pearl
• Sheena's stamping card
• Stamps by Chloe poinsettia corners cut and emboss folder and die set
• Stamps by Chloe happy holly day glitter
• Hunkydory's diamond sparkles festive gold glitter
• gold gilding wax
• Creative Expression's festive traditions sentiments
• Stamps by Chloe cranberry fix WOW embossing folder
• gems from my stash

I had so much fun making this card, the cat is still wearing glitter! I have so many more ideas using this folder. What a pity you can't manufacture time.

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Sunflower wishes

Good morning

After a very busy day yesterday I am going to take things a bit easier today. I have a few cards to make so I think I'll spend some time in my craftroom.
A few weeks ago I bought some Woodware stamps in a sale and this is a card I made from one of them - 

For this card I have used - 

• Woodware's sunflower sketch stamp
• Harmony inks - straw bale, lemon tonic, honey pot, sandstone, frair brown and seal brown
• Spectrum Noir sparkle inks - smoked quartz and crystal clear
• Sheena's stamping card
• matt black card
• brown core'dinations
• yellow organza ribbon and gem from my stash
• ivory centura pearl for the card base

I stamped the stamp twice and cut out the sunflower only. I then coloured the sunflower with the Harmony inks and the crystal clear Sparkle pen. I then used the smoked quartz and the crystal clear Sparkle pen to colour the centre of the sunflower.

I created the background using the Harmony inks and Sheena's stamping card.

Right time to hit the craftroom.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Oh so sweet

Good morning

Yesterday was a beautiful day, made up for all the rain on Saturday. I am hoping today will be just as nice so I can get out and about.

Today's card is another Hunkydory one, this one was made for my mum's birthday - 

For this card I have used - 

• Hunkydory's Floral favourites deco large - Oh so sweet card kit
• Floral favourites inserts and papers
• gold mirri
• gold gems from my stash
• purple satin ribbon from my stash

A very short post from me today, thank you for stopping by. I hope the sun shines on you today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

By the seaside

Good morning

Well half term has finally arrived and I am not planning to do an awful lot, just get lots of rest. They say that the first term back is always germ term so I need to build up my immune system again after the onslaught from all the bugs this term.

Today's card is an easel card I made to celebrate my dad's birthday -

For this card I have used - 

• Hunkydory's Happines is ...... the habourside card kit, papers and inserts
• white centura pearl
• gold mirri

 The top part of the easel card.

The base of the easel card. 

That's all from me today, enjoy your day.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Beautiful poppies

Good morning folks

What a beautiful morning here in Manchester, the sun is shining and I have been enjoying it in the garden.

Here are some more makes from Hunkydory's Poppy Wishes collection - 

For all these cards I have used - 

• Hunkydory's Poppy Wishes - Poppy joy card kit
• Hunkydory's Poppy Wishes inserts
• Hunkydory's Poppy Wishes paper pad
• gold mirri
• Die'sire happy birthday die
• red ribbon, gold gems and red gems from my stash

A quick post today, thank you for stopping by.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Birthday butterflies

Good morning

Yeah it's Friday - they are racing around aren't they. Only two more weeks before half term. 

Today's card is one I made using more of Chloe's products. I have been practising with them and was very pleased with the way this card turned out.

I began by making the topper for which I used - 

• watercolour card
• butterfly trails panel 3D embossing folder by Chloe
• pink tulip Harmony ink
• empire gold gilding wax from Pebeo
• festive gold diamond sparkles from Hunkydory
• gems from my stash

I ran the embossing folder through my Gemini twice and then cut out the butterflies from one of the panels. I inked the base layer and the cut out butterflies with pink tulip ink and the gilding wax. I then added honeysuckle glitter to the outer edge.

I also used - 

• 8 by 8 luxury foiled paper pad from Chloe
• butterfly trails from Stamps by Chloe
• WOW amber rose embossing powder
• Sparkelicious glitter - honeysuckle from Stamps by Chloe

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Rudolph

Good morning folks

Sorry for my absence - been a trifle under the weather but I am on the mend now. 

Here is a DL Christmas card I made recently using Woodware's Rudolph and friends stamp and Copic pens - 

• Rudolph - E00, E21, E11, R35, R46, R59, E31, E35, E57 and E79
• robins - R35, R46, R59, E57, E79, C9 and Y38
• sky - B000

I also used - 

• red Adorable Scorable
• gold mirri
• gems from my stash

A very simple card when I let the stamp do the talking.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Pink poppies

Good morning

When I saw this new collection from Hunkydory I knew I had to add it to my crafty stash - 

These three cards were made using the following products - 

• Poppy wishes - thoughts of you card kit from Hunkydory
• pink Adorable Scorable
• silver mirri
• Poppy wishes inserts
• pink gems from my stash

Short and sweet post from me today. Thank you for stopping by.

Crafty hugs

Lesley